tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48126041782997227362011-11-13T17:38:36.114+11:00I'm a full-time worker, a mother of a 7yo girl and a 12yo boy, have been married for 14 years, and am the carer for my husband and son. DH has chronic joint pain, ADHD, severe anxiety and depression. More recent diagnoses are Fibromyalgia and haemochromatosis; DS has ADHD and mild Asperger's Syndrome. We also have two cats, a dog, and a house that is slowly being cleaned & decluttered.Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.comBlogger301100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-42375471159210536732011-11-13T08:23:00.001+11:002011-11-13T09:46:52.385+11:00

I'm sorry I have been away for so long. I'm sure you've been waiting for an update to my July post. But I need to write this post, about our Alaskan Malamute, Fur Island*. She died this week, very quickly and unexpectedly. This is a very long post. I just want to write this down, apologies for the length, I have a lot to say. I'm kind of surprised how upset I got because she'd always been a bit

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-4694149983674281212011-07-05T10:38:00.000+10:002011-07-05T10:38:32.895+10:00

I'm not falling apart, I'm moving on. The plan is for me to: - attend counselling, just organised through Carers Australia - starts Friday the 15th, unless there is a cancellation. I plan to use these sessions to move forward with my life. - attend Partners in Depression 6 week (2hrs/week) course - starts Wednesday the 13th, although I haven't got confirmation yet. - ask Carelink for help

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-60408394086403202382011-06-26T15:19:00.000+10:002011-06-26T15:19:56.505+10:00

Why can't I find a nice little link somewhere with all the details on how to get someone else to take care of my husband? The problem is, while he doesn't want to do any of the things that may help him get better, the kids and I have to live in a constant crisis mode... no routines, a filthy house (toilets haven't been cleaned in months, bathrooms in years, drifts of dog hair everywhere...

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-44320974676065191412010-11-29T21:15:00.001+11:002010-11-30T12:55:08.710+11:00

I am reading a book on dealing with grief at the moment. Each chapter covers a myth about grieving, and the reality. The first chapter's myth is You only grieve when someone dies. And the reality, of course is, We grieve whenever we lose anything, whether it be someone or something. I completely agree with this. One of the exercises at the end of the chapter is to make a personal loss profile

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-54597153655617554522010-11-18T09:51:00.002+11:002010-11-18T11:42:19.228+11:00

It has been a while (7 months, oops!). Silly me, I thought I had everything 'under control', but over the last month or so... I've cried at the end of the Dr Who episode about Vincent Van Gogh, because the credits said if we'd been upset by the episode we could go to this special BBC mental health website, BBC Headroom, for support. I've cried at the meditation workshop I was at the next day at

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-54704184194565753232010-04-15T14:10:00.001+10:002010-04-15T21:10:18.644+10:00

As you may have noticed, I don't blog here often... that's because I don't have much spare time! But I have realized I can blog on some topics without too much effort... I can touch type, and cut and paste, and just add a few thoughts of my own, but still share my knowledge and insights. Please check out my other two blogs: Carer Inspirations - lovely things that help lift my spirits What

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-90727618341033235742010-03-11T11:38:00.000+11:002010-03-11T11:38:07.210+11:00

This is how I imagine myself in bed, sleeping at night. Bliss (actually I sleep on my stomach, but you get the idea). Apparently, I've forgotten I have a husband, as he's not in the picture... well, no, I actually am such a good sleeper (when I don't have adrenal fatigue) that it really doesn't matter whether he's there or not. (As long as he doesn't steal all the bedding.) However, all is not

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-83251813004918326982010-03-05T10:01:00.001+11:002010-03-05T10:41:18.140+11:00

People Really Like You!You're simply a great person, and most people who meet you realize it right away. You're kind, interesting, outgoing, friendly, and polite. Your friends are lucky to know you. You're a joy to be around. You are definitely well liked by almost everyone. You're a very popular person! What People Like About You: People like that you can defend what you believe in calmly and

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-13296428526456970412010-02-17T14:42:00.004+11:002010-03-27T22:53:36.821+11:00

Creating 2010What would you like to be your biggest triumph in 2010? Writing the story of my romance with hubby and how life worked... on a blog will be fine!  What advice would you like to give yourself in 2010? One day at a time. What is the major effort you are planning to improve your financial results in 2010? Using the loan from my parents to catch up with commitments, and

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-22374336005560089762010-01-19T14:08:00.000+11:002010-01-19T14:08:37.942+11:00

Inspired by another blog I'm following... Careless Carer - Focus on 3BT Three beautiful things today. My son and his friend J have such a beautiful friendship. They look out for each other and do good things for each other. My husband loves me so much. (And I, him!) Work and home are now separate. My 'worker' role is now a peaceful escape from the realities of my carer, mother, and wife roles.

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-63759573845044699062010-01-18T13:52:00.001+11:002010-01-18T13:58:35.144+11:00

What was your biggest triumph in 2009? Diagnosing and treating my adrenal fatigue. What was the smartest decision you made in 2009? To take over managing DH's medications that he cannot safely manage himself. What one word best sums up and describes your 2009 experience? Rollercoaster. What was the greatest lesson you learned in 2009? I must put my own health and happiness at the top of my

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-65801626556491004332009-10-01T22:17:00.006+10:002009-10-01T22:21:14.594+10:00

On Saturday night, my high school class is getting together to reunite after 20 years. My best friend from Year 11 and 12 has offered to have her daughter babysit, so the kids are coming too.I'm finally going to wear that gorgeous black dress I bought at an UnderCoverWear party years ago. It would have swum on me 18 months ago, but now fits perfectly again.Hubby has nausea and vomiting from

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-54266987822902473332009-09-11T06:40:00.003+10:002009-09-11T06:48:14.618+10:00

I feel like I have been in one of those complex mystery novels with multiple plot lines that don't seem related until you get near the end of the book.For the record, the vitamins I started taking on Tuesday are Vit C, Vit B5 and B6, Magnesium, Calcium and Zinc... as recommended by The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook. The difference was immedate - felt better within an hour of the vitamins. My mood

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-63839188470120440632009-09-10T11:01:00.003+10:002009-09-11T06:48:55.889+10:00

I was diagnosed with functional hypoglycemia last year - a symptom of problems with my adrenals, caused by stress.Taking vitamins. Feel much better. Will post more later.

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-48858238154209919042009-08-18T18:07:00.006+10:002009-08-20T09:39:37.291+10:00

Journalling the positives of today, and showing my strength.I felt good all morning.I took myself out to lunch at Michel's Patisserie.I booked Wolf's vet appointment.I walked to the shops with my daughter.My counsellor and I listed heaps of strengths I have. We also came up with some affirmations I will list below. I'm going to write these on my mirror in whiteboard marker each morning.I

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-70657520467617112502009-07-25T09:45:00.003+10:002009-07-25T09:51:01.111+10:00

Three things I am grateful for:Free counselling because my dad was a Vietnam Veteran. Boy do I need it! Next appointment on Tuesday.The music of Taylor Swift and Lily Allen I keep hearing on the radio... it cheers me up, no end!My son's tutor, who helped us turn the kids' bedrooms back into rooms they could use, and help us organise our laundry over the school holidays.I'm going to try to find

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-3145610931163418152009-07-06T11:09:00.006+10:002009-07-06T11:31:13.841+10:00

HelloI didn't realise it had been quite this long! I have not had much spare time.I've started counselling (going again tomorrow)attended the day spa (had a lovely time but got very anxious when it was time to go home)I've got tonsillitis again,DS and DD have been sickDH ran out of oxycontin again (it's a monthly event), but we've determined he can get by with Valium and Tramadol XRHaven't been

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-40259194534378319832009-06-08T10:36:00.002+10:002009-06-08T10:42:32.529+10:00

I woke up next morning full of anxiety, but at least I slept well!I decided I need to do something to relieve my anxiety. I rang the local pound and they had a report for a missing puppy from the day before matching the description of the puppy we found. One problem solved. DH walked puppy up to the shops to give him back to his owners late Thursday afternoon.Now, how to regain my equilibrium. I

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-23253422075419404712009-06-06T08:26:00.008+10:002009-06-06T19:02:16.350+10:00

DH has been coming up on the rollercoaster. Now he is going down (removing non-communicative friends from Facebook, deciding not to go ahead with goals that are too hard). Fortunately, the local community health service has a program especially for people with musculoskeletal issues and anxiety/depression; his key support worker will help him set a couple of goals and break them down into small

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-18419255776764510722009-05-22T17:20:00.013+10:002009-05-22T19:59:18.325+10:00

Does anyone want my family?DD has lice. (Not again! That's it. I'm chopping her mop to short curls. I can hardly get a brush through it, let alone a nit comb.)DS went on camp and came back with tonsillitis, which he gave to me. (Yay, I'm still on the antibiotics)DD now has conjunctivitis, most likely viral (or it could be impetigo as she seem to have that too!!!). I haven't got rid of the lice

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-2859401594918213332009-05-18T10:41:00.005+10:002009-05-22T20:00:06.863+10:00

Well, my trip to the doctor Friday morning confirmed I too have tonsillitis. The doctor put me phenoxymethlpenicillin, 4 pills a day for 12 days. Wikipedia told me that this is the recommended antibiotic for Streptococcus pyogenes, the cause of Group A streptococcal infections. Interestingly, I also found a link between these infections and rapid development of OCD or tics, known as PANDAS.Well,

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-3221736696294436002009-05-14T14:12:00.008+10:002009-05-22T20:00:06.864+10:00

I didn't realise it's been more than a week since my last post; I've been busy, as usual.I woke up groggy and with a sore throat today @ 8:05am, having fallen asleep in bed in my clothes, and having forgotten to set the alarm. I woke up because DD knocked on the door complaining DS wouldn't let her have lemonade LOL... later she apologized for waking me up, and I said, "No! Thankyou for waking me

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-14410634769829762202009-05-06T16:22:00.007+10:002009-05-22T20:00:06.865+10:00

Today I let DH have an earful! He had been talking to our friend T out the front for a long time. DD was in bed having a nap (she's home today because she has headlice, but that's another story), and I'm on the phone in the middle of a complex meeting about a difficult technical issue (no office politics thank goodness)... when he says "I' m following T home, Okay?" I wave at him, in annoyance,

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-30174765640075790252009-05-04T12:14:00.008+10:002009-05-22T20:00:06.865+10:00

Every week I struggle to work my 35 hours. I often end up catching up on the weekend or using leave. Prior to April, I worked 40 hours a week, so things have certainly improved. Thank goodness for flexible work schedules and understanding employers!Today I created a timetable for myself. Now looking at it, I can see that during the week, if I allow time for school drop off / pick up, lunch, and

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-76818716357749071922009-04-29T07:14:00.015+10:002009-05-22T20:00:06.866+10:00

I have now lost 5.5kg since I weighed myself on March 22 this year. That's an average of a kilogram a day! I'm now overweight instead of obese, with a BMI of 28.7. I'm using a relatively new weight loss program called Bodytrim.Check out the Bodytrim website!This is not advertising; I'm just a very satisfied customer - oh, and I haven't paid them a cent since the original purchase!Recent weight

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-34340103160671021272009-04-26T20:45:00.008+10:002009-05-22T20:00:06.866+10:00

DS stayed overnight at his friend's house again. I made big plans to make a dent in "Mt Foldmore" in the living room. But then I realised DD's bathers were missing. They'd been in my other Mt Foldmore (on the dressing table) all week! Where had they gone? (There were two full sets, one a black bikini and one apricot shorts with a floral tie on top).Found the shorts under our bed... probably the

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-75483459877474286382009-04-25T11:15:00.006+10:002009-05-22T20:00:06.867+10:00

11:00amWe've had the kitty for a week, and she hasn't been to the vet for a checkup yet.Worse, I had a dance (not intentionally) with our 14yo Siberian Husky yesterday, and stood on his very sore toe... which then bled every way. I am taking him to the vet now, but he should've been back ages ago. I keep relying on DH to take them to the vet, because they're "his" pets. But how can I rely on him

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-74352246220714965712009-04-24T14:06:00.008+10:002009-05-22T20:00:06.867+10:00

DH normally takes oxycodone for his pain (from fibromyalgia). He is only allowed enough medication to last a month at his appropriate dose (which we will be increasing next week).When DH runs out of his normal painkillers we have two issues: unmitigated pain and opiate withdrawal symptoms.The unmitigated pain causes him to become extremely depressed. I have rung his GP to get a script for an

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-36845957675499269952009-04-22T14:50:00.007+10:002009-05-22T20:00:06.868+10:00

Late on Saturday afternoon, we took the kids to the park. There was a big Maori family celebration over at the BBQ shelter, and lots of kids playing in the wooden adventure playground. We were there for a while before we spotted a cluster of kids near the see-saw, looking under the wooden structure of the playground. "There's a kitty in there!" they said, pointing to a small hole between the tan

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812604178299722736.post-34615325425171163682009-04-22T14:35:00.009+10:002009-05-22T20:00:06.868+10:00

Hello readersI'm really writing this blog for myself, as an online journal. But I find I'm learning so many life lessons along my journey that I would like to share them with others.For example, I've only recently realised that I've had Generalized Anxiety Disorder at least since I was pregnant with my daughter. Not surprising, considering my husband's ADHD and anxiety issues were not diagnosed

Sapphyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10081990491355779120noreply@blogger.com8